Frutta Bowls: Redefining Healthy Eating with Superfood Creations

Founded in 2016 by Brooke Gagliano in Freehold, New Jersey, Frutta Bowls began with a simple mission: to bring delicious, nutritious, and energizing food to local communities. Inspired by the açai bowls she encountered during a trip out west, Gagliano introduced the concept to her hometown, launching what would quickly grow into a recognizable brand across the United States.

Since its inception, Frutta Bowls has expanded to dozens of locations in over a dozen states, offering a vibrant menu of açai, pitaya, and kale bowls, smoothies, toasts, and protein bites. The franchise focuses on using plant-based, whole-food ingredients that are fresh, flavorful, and nutrient-rich. This commitment to quality ensures that customers enjoy not just a quick meal, but a thoughtfully crafted, healthy experience.

Frutta Bowls sets itself apart from other health-focused eateries by prioritizing customization and community connection. With extensive options to tailor each bowl or smoothie, the brand meets a wide range of dietary preferences and needs. At the same time, franchisees are encouraged to deeply engage with their communities—hosting events, participating in local initiatives, and creating spaces that reflect neighborhood culture.

Now part of the WOWorks family of restaurant brands, Frutta Bowls benefits from a network that includes Saladworks, Barberitos, Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, and others. This affiliation strengthens its operational support while preserving the local, feel-good spirit that makes Frutta Bowls a standout in the fast-casual wellness space.

Training

Frutta Bowls provides comprehensive training to ensure franchisees and their management teams are well-prepared for operations. The types of training provided by the Franchisor include:

1. Initial Training Program: This is mandatory and offered free for the Franchisee and up to three management personnel. It spans approximately 10 days and combines classroom and on-the-job training. Topics include financial controls, food preparation, marketing, sanitation, and maintaining quality standards. A 2-day sanitation certification course is also required for at least one management member.
2. Sanitation Certification: Franchisees must complete a 2-day sanitation course prepared by the National Restaurant Association in their local market, ensuring compliance with health standards.
3. Franchise Orientation Seminar: This is typically held within 30 days of agreement signing, either at the headquarters or via webinar, covering franchise program basics and site selection procedures.
4. Refresher Training Programs: Frutta Bowls may require franchisees and managers to attend up to four refresher training seminars annually, with a maximum total duration of eight business days per year.
5. Replacement Personnel Training: If any of the originally trained individuals cannot complete the program, replacements may attend the next available training for a fee and must complete it satisfactorily.

Territory Protection

Frutta Bowls provides limited territory protection to its franchisees. Each franchise is granted a defined Territory where no other traditional Frutta Bowls restaurants will be licensed. However, this protection excludes non-traditional venues like airports or stadiums.

The franchisor also reserves the right to sell products through alternate channels, such as food trucks or store-within-a-store setups, even within the franchisee’s Territory. The size and scope of the Territory are determined solely by the franchisor and may vary based on market conditions.